The Great Books of the Western Canon, organized by Mortimer J. Adler in the Syntopicon, span 102 enduring ideas—ranging from Truth, Beauty, and Justice to Democracy, Love, and God. These categories trace the intellectual tradition of the West, connecting philosophy, literature, history, science, and theology. Together, they map the recurring questions and principles shaping human thought across centuries.
The Unruly Heart of Democracy: Navigating Opinion in the Public Square In the vibrant, often tumultuous theatre of democracy, the role of opinion is both its lifeblood and its enduring challenge. This article explores the fundamental, often paradoxical, relationship between individual and collective beliefs and the functioning of a self-governing...
Summary: Art, in its myriad forms, serves as a profound and often underestimated force in the shaping of human opinion. Far beyond mere aesthetic pleasure, it operates as a sophisticated form of rhetoric, subtly influencing our perceptions, emotions, and ultimately, the very landscape of our mind. Through evocative imagery, compelling...
The Logic of Opinion and Knowledge: Navigating the Landscape of Belief In the vast landscape of human thought, we constantly navigate between what we believe to be true and what we know to be true. This article explores the fundamental distinction between opinion and knowledge, highlighting the indispensable role of...
The Heart of the Polis: Emotion's Indispensable Role in Political Opinion Summary: Political opinion, often perceived as the domain of pure reason, is in fact profoundly shaped by emotion. From ancient Greek philosophy to contemporary discourse, thinkers have recognized that human beings—man—are not solely rational agents,...
The Architect of Belief: How Language Forges Opinion Language is far more than a mere vehicle for communication; it is the fundamental architect of our understanding, shaping not just what we say, but what we believe. This article explores how the intricate mechanisms of language, from the primal distinction between...
The Unspoken Pact: How Rhetoric Shapes the Nature of Democracy The very nature of democracy is inextricably linked with rhetoric. From the ancient agora to the modern digital town square, the art of persuasion has been the engine of public discourse, shaping opinion, forging consensus, and occasionally, sowing discord. This...
The Crucial Divide: Untangling Opinion from Sense in the Pursuit of Knowledge Summary: In an age awash with information, the distinction between mere opinion and grounded sense is more critical than ever. This article explores how classical philosophy, particularly as illuminated by the Great Books of the Western World, helps...
The Philosophical Basis of Rhetoric: Beyond Mere Persuasion At the heart of human communication lies a profound interplay between Philosophy and Rhetoric. Far from being a mere art of eloquent speech or manipulative persuasion, Rhetoric is deeply rooted in philosophical inquiry, exploring how we construct meaning, articulate ideas, and influence...
The Unshakeable Foundation: Discerning Opinion from Truth In philosophy, few concepts are as foundational yet frequently conflated as opinion and truth. This article explores the vital distinction between subjective belief and objective reality, arguing that understanding this difference is the first step towards genuine knowledge and reasoned thought, a journey...
The Labyrinth of Assent: Navigating the Logic of Opinion and Belief Summary: In the vast landscape of human thought, we constantly navigate between what we feel to be true and what we can demonstrably assert. This article delves into the intricate relationship between opinion and belief, arguing that logic serves...
The Logical Architecture of Belief: Navigating Opinion Towards Knowledge In the grand intellectual tradition that stretches back to the very origins of Western thought, a persistent challenge has been the careful demarcation between what we think we know and what we can genuinely claim as knowledge. This distinction is not...
The Unseen Hand: Emotion's Enduring Grasp on Political Opinion The landscape of political discourse often appears to be a battleground of ideas, policies, and reasoned arguments. Yet, beneath this veneer of rationality lies a powerful, often underestimated force: emotion. From the impassioned cries of a protestor to the...
Beyond Mere Conjecture: The Logic of Opinion, Belief, and the Pursuit of Knowledge In the vast expanse of human thought, we continually grapple with what we hold to be true. From casual observations to deeply ingrained convictions, our minds are a ceaseless forge of assertions. This article delves into the...
